The statement comes in the wake of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado’s visit to the White House on 15 January 2026, during which she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump as a symbolic “gesture of gratitude” for his support in Venezuela’s political transition. While Trump accepted the framed medal and publicly thanked Machado, officials from the Norwegian Nobel Committee, the body that selects Peace Prize laureates, emphasised that the title and recognition of the award remain with Machado and cannot be legally reassigned.

Machado, who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her long-standing advocacy for democracy and human rights in Venezuela’s struggle against authoritarian rule, described the presentation of the medal as a sign of respect and shared commitment to freedom. Trump praised the gesture on social media and displayed the framed medal in the White House. However, the Nobel institutions clarified that while a physical medal may change hands, the official status and merit of the Nobel Prize do not transfer with it.

The incident has sparked debate within Norway and internationally, with critics arguing that such public displays risk politicising one of the world ’s most respected honours. Some Norwegian politicians labelled the act “absurd” and warned it could undermine the prestige of the prize, insisting the award’s meaning derives from a strict process and enduring principles established by Alfred Nobel.

By reaffirming that Nobel Prizes cannot be revoked or shared after they are awarded, the Nobel Foundation aims to uphold both the legal framework of Nobel honours and their symbolic value in global peace and scientific advancement. The recent controversy highlights the tension between political symbolism and the institutional safeguards designed to protect the Nobel legacy.

Machado, born in Caracas in 1967, rose to prominence in the early 2000s after co-founding Súmate, an organisation dedicated to monitoring elections and promoting civic participation. She later entered the National Assembly, becoming one of the government’s most vocal critics until she was removed from her seat in 2014 after speaking before the Organisation of American States. Her political influence resurfaced strongly in 2023, when she emerged as the leading voice of a fragmented opposition.

Her Nobel recognition comes after years of disqualification, pressure and threats from the Venezuelan government. Despite being barred from running in the 2024 presidential election, Machado helped rally opposition movements behind a single candidate and continued advocating for peaceful political change. The Nobel Committee emphasised this commitment to civil resistance and democratic engagement as central to her selection.

Internationally, the award has drawn renewed attention to Venezuela’s political trajectory. Several governments and human rights organisations have interpreted the prize as a signal of support for democratic actors within the country, though it does not directly alter the political balance of power. For many observers, the recognition serves as a reminder that Venezuela’s crisis remains unresolved and continues to have implications for regional stability, migration flows and human rights.

Inside Venezuela, reactions have been sharply divided. Supporters see the prize as validation of Machado’s leadership at a time when political organising faces significant restrictions. Government officials, meanwhile, dismissed the award as foreign interference, repeating long-standing accusations that Machado represents external interests.

Although the Nobel Peace Prize does not offer political guarantees, it provides Machado with a higher international profile and a platform that may shape Venezuela’s opposition movement in the coming years. How this visibility translates into political influence will depend on internal dynamics, ongoing negotiations and the government's response in the months ahead.

Pino went on to condemn what she described as an attempt to “revive” Machado’s political image. “It is us who make them disappear from history or keep feeding them so they live on. That was like an injection to say, ‘you are dead, let’s inject you a little and name you Nobel Peace Prize winner.’ They are deceiving themselves, because the Venezuelan people , above all, and Latin Americans, are wise, brave and know it is a provocation.”

Other residents expressed similar anger. “It is infuriating! As a Venezuelan, it disgusts you that this terrorist has the Nobel Peace Prize. Obama had it — another one who caused so much harm, who suggested that Venezuela was a threat,” said Miriam Bolívar to Viory.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee said Machado was honoured for her “tireless work promoting democratic rights” and her “struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.”

Machado reacted to the news on X, describing the award as “an immense recognition of the struggle of all Venezuelans” and claiming the country was “on the threshold of victory.” Her comments, which also thanked former U.S. President Donald Trump for his support, further deepened the controversy surrounding her recognition.

Without mentioning names, Lukashenko referenced previous laureates, saying, “Remember the case with the U.S. President who did nothing at all, became President, and received this prize.”

Calling the decision “shortsighted” and a “disservice to the peace process,” Lukashenko warned that snubbing Trump could damage future diplomatic efforts. “Trump has done quite a bit for peace... I am absolutely convinced that he should have been tied to the peaceful process with this prize.”

He also dismissed Machado, saying, “I don’t know this Venezuelan person and don’t want to speak about him,” adding that the Nobel Committee had chosen someone “not interested in peace.”